time for every man's departure is fixed by God: and how near it may be at band, no one can divine. But the instant it is arrived, whether we be prepared or unprepared, away we are hurried to the judgment-seat of Christ; and, if unprepared, we are cast into the very depths of hell. I know that persons are ready to say, " But God is merciful." True; but I answer, that " To him belongeth vengeance also;" yea, and this is as essential to his character as mercy. Hence, in the Epistle to the Hebrews, my text is cited with peculiar emphasis: " We know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me : I will recompense, saith the Lord." And to this it is added, " It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living Godg." Now, I ask, Shall this perfection of the Deity be dispensed with, in order to give us safety in our sins? It cannot be. An hatred of sin, and a determination to punish it, are essential to the nature of Jehovah ; and he can as soon cease to exist, as he can cease to act worthy of his proper character. You cannot but know, Brethren, that multitudes are hurried daily into the presence of their God, without any regard to their state of preparation to meet him: and there is no reason why you should not be taken just as they were. " They were saying, Peace and safety; and then came sudden destruction upon them, as travail upon a woman with child h." And the more secure you are in your own apprehension, the more reason there is to fear that you shall be called away in like manner, and that " that awful day shall overtake you as a thief'." This consideration is very particularly urged upon you by the Pro- phet Hosea: " The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is hid. The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon himk." It matters not whether you be young or old, or whether in health or sickness, " the Judge standeth at the door;" and at the instant ordained by him, into his presence must you go, to " give an account of all that you have ever done, whether it be good or evil."]
And truth compels me to declare,
III. That it is owing to the forbearance of God alone that every one of us has not long since fallen into hell —
[Who amongst us has not deserved the wrath of God ? Who amongst us may not call to mind some moment, when God, so to speak, might have cut us off to advantage, to display in us his righteous indignation ? And if he had summoned us hence, who could have withstood his mandate, or prolonged
s Heb. x. 30, 31. h 1 Thess. v. 3.
1 1 Thess. v. 4. k Hos. xiii. 12, 13.